Better Beyond 50 with Melissa Koerner

I'd like you to meet Amy Medling. She's known as the "PCOS Diva." For years, Amy suffered from the physical and emotional symptoms of a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which affects 1 in 10 women and is present from puberty all the way through post-menopausal years. With fierce determination to get healthy, she did extensive research, and after a lot trial and error, she ultimately alleviated her PCOS symptoms naturally through diet and lifestyle changes. What seemed like a curse was really a blessing, and she emerged as a stronger, wiser and healthier woman. I'm so excited to share her story and holistic approach with you in today's Better Beyond 50 podcast episode. I really think you're going to enjoy it.  Here's what you'll learn in this episode: * Why women with PCOS often experience menopause later in life. * The most common symptoms of PCOS. * How to get a PCOS diagnosis and the most important lab tests to ask your doctor for. * The dangers of using drugs like Metformin to mana

Even when you're eating clean, often times various stressors in your life can throw you out of balance and your body can benefit from additional nutrients to give it the boost it needs to feel vibrant. In today's episode I'm talking with, Master Herbalist, Jane Barlow, about how to use plant medicine to keep our bodies healthy. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: * The 4 most important herbs every woman over 50 should take to boost metabolism, improve digestion, and prevent a heart attack and cancer. * The top 3 herbs that help reduce hot flashes and night sweats. * The top 3 herbs that help you sleep through the night. * The top 3 herbs that help reduce inflammation and eliminate chronic aches and pains. * How to choose the best quality herbs to get the best results. Jane was fascinating to talk to. You'll enjoy the story she tells about witnessing her father save a man's life using liquid cayenne pepper—it's pretty amazing! If you know someone who would benefit from this information, please share this

Want to know something scary? Companies that make skin care and other beauty products do NOT have to list all of the ingredients they use on their labels IF they use under a certain amount of those ingredients. So that means there could be a long list of toxic ingredients in the products you're putting on your skin and absorbing every day that you don't know about because they don't have to listed. Now, if you're thinking, I'm good, Melissa, because I'm using "Natural" and "Organic" products… I have some bad news for you. Even those ones can contain harmful ingredients! I don't know about you, but I find this disturbing and frustrating. I feel like it's my right to know exactly what I'm buying. But I have some good news for you. There's a shift happening in the natural health space—more and more people want beauty products that are 100% pure and natural. And it's because of this demand, today's podcast guest, Kevin Gianni, set out to do what all the makers of personal hygiene products should be doing. He and

Today I'm super excited to introduce you to a doctor who has a new, easy and practical plan to lose weight, reduce wrinkles and heal the gut naturally. Her name is Dr. Kellyann Petrucci. Have you heard of her? She's a weight-loss and natural anti-aging transformation expert and the author of the New York Times bestselling book Dr. Kellyann's Bone Broth Diet. She's been on Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, ABC, NBC, CBS, The Doctors, in Time Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and she was the host of her own hit PBS special. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Kellyann in person back in August when I attended a conference for health professionals in San Diego. And after I heard speak on stage about her revolutionary approach to helping people become natural fat burners by incorporating nutritious bone broth in their diets, knew I just had to have her on the BB50 podcast! Here's what you'll learn in this episode:  * The 2 hidden reasons why so many women can't to lose weight. (And what you can do about them). * T

Have you ever considered the amount of toxins you're exposed to in and around your home?  That's what this podcast episode is all about. I invited world-renowned Nutritionist and Naturopath, David Getoff, back to the Better Beyond 50 podcast to talk about how toxins in our environment are messing up our endocrine and immune systems and how we can minimize our exposure to these harmful toxins with simple action steps. Here's some of the topics David and I discussed: * The top 6 toxins that are making you sick and simple action steps to avoid them as much as possible. * Why taking off your shoes before entering your house is a MUST.  * Recommended alternatives to toxic, conventional cleaning and hygiene products. (Plus, how to read the ingredient labels). * How your immune, endocrine and detoxification systems get disrupted when you're exposed to environmental toxins. (Plus 3 simple and practical steps to keep these systems healthy.) * How to make sure you're drinking water is clean and safe.  *

Adrenal Fatigue Ever heard of it? It's estimated that about 80% of Americans have it. But here's what's scary. Most people don't know they have it. It's actually one of the most undiagnosed illnesses in the U.S. Why? Because adrenal fatigue is NOT accepted by mainstream medicine. As Dr. Wilson, the author of the book Adrenal Fatigue puts it, "doctors are down on things that they're not up on!" So how you could have adrenal fatigue and not know it? What are the telltale signs that you have it? What causes it in the first place? These are some of the questions I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Wilson—the very man who coined the term "adrenal fatigue." And I have to tell you this one of my favorite interviews because the topic of adrenal fatigue is so personal to me. I'll be forever grateful to Dr. Wilson. Following his adrenal recovery plan helped me heal 100%. Here's what you'll discover about adrenal fatigue in this episode:  * How adrenal changes during perimenopause and menopause impact your sex drive,

Cancer has not only affected my life, but it has impacted the lives of many people, especially the women in the Better Beyond 50 Community. Because this is such an important topic to be informed about, I invited Clinical Nutritionist and Traditional Naturopath, David Getoff, to the BB50 podcast to share his expertise about cancer. And what he had to share really opened my eyes to the misconceptions about cancer development, prevention and treatment. Here's what you'll discover about cancer in this episode: * Why cancer develops in the first place and how some of the foods we're eating and pharmaceutical drugs we're taking every day actually feed cancer cells. * Why NONE of the conventional cancer approaches like surgery, radiation, drug therapy and chemotherapy are truly effective solutions. (In fact, many people die from the side effects of conventional cancer therapies). * The most effective natural therapies for cancer. * The 6 steps you can take to prevent cancer cells from growing in your body. (HINT: On

With so much conflicting nutrition information out there, it's no wonder people are confused about which foods to eat and which ones to avoid. To help you become more educated about the dairy products you're buying, I invited Mark McAfee, one of the largest grass fed, organic, raw milk producers in the U.S., to the Better Beyond 50 podcast. And boy did he have a lot to say about this topic! His passion was super contagious. Here's what you'll discover about dairy in this episode: * The dangerous health effects of drinking pasteurized and homogenized milk. (The kind of milk that you buy at large chain grocery stores.) * Why soy milk and rice milk are NOT healthy alternatives to cow's milk. * Why pasteurized milk is highly processed, "dirty" milk. (There are big differences in cleanliness between milk intended for pasteurization and raw milk production.) * The REAL reason why the FDA is against the selling of raw milk. (It's NOT really about your safety like they claim.) * What scientific studies show about the

If you're someone who feels anxious a lot then you're going to find this podcast episode really helpful! I invited food mood expert, Trudy Scott, to the Better Beyond 50 Podcast to share natural solutions to overcome anxiety. Trudy is the author of The Antianxiety Food Solution, and host of The Anxiety Summit. After overcoming her own struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, Trudy teaches people how to completely eliminate their anxiety with real whole foods, supplements and healthy lifestyle changes. Here's what you'll discover in this interview: * How real whole foods and nutritional supplements can reduce even the most severe anxiety. * The dangerous health risks associated with anxiety medications. (Most doctors don't know about them!) * The 2 foods you must AVOID to eliminate anxiety. * The link between vegetarianism/veganism and anxiety. * The best foods to eat that keep your blood sugar levels stable and why this is KEY to eliminating anxiety. * Why it's not a good idea to stop taking antianxiety drugs

There's a world a difference between factory-farmed meat (the kind you find at most large chain grocery stores—the kind that everyone around me ate) and pastured-meat. Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges.  There are all kinds of horrific things that happen to the animals raised on large-scale factory farms. The truth is, factory farms care more about making money and producing lots of products than they do about raising healthy animals. Cows on factory farms are often fed a diet of corn and grain, which is NOT what they're supposed to eat. And in some cases, cows are even fed cardboard, newspaper, sawdust, sewage and industrial oils to reduce costs and to fatten them up. (I know, it's AWFUL!) And to make matters worse, many factory-raised animals never see the light of day because they're confined to large barns, only to roam around in their own feces. In the end, these unhealthy farming practices create unhealthy animals. And when you eat unhealthy animals, you compromise your own hea

Here's what you'll discover is this interview: * Why EVERYONE needs to take supplements even if you eat a healthy diet. * The best tests to determine which vitamin and mineral deficiencies you have. * Why you NEVER want to take a Centrum one-a-day multivitamin. * Why taking a multivitamin can make you feel sick. (This is interesting!) * What to look for on the label to make sure you're choosing the best multivitamin. * The 8 key supplements women over 50 need and how much of each you should take every day. * Why it's important to get your vitamin D levels tested before you starting taking a vitamin D3 supplement. (And the ideal range your vitamin D levels should be). * Why most probiotics are garbage. (And how to choose a good one)  You'll leave this interview with a complete supplement plan. If you know someone who would benefit from this information, please share this interview with her. I sincerely hope this information is helpful to you.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you thought

It’s estimated that 80% of the population is magnesium deficient. And this means that 80% of people is at risk for developing all kinds of health problems. Fatigue, acid reflux, anxiety, panic attacks, muscle cramps, poor sleep, chronic pain, heart disease, depression, IBS, constipation, high blood pressure, migraines, accelerated aging… … these are just some of the health conditions that can arise from magnesium deficiency. And people over 55 are particularly at risk for having insufficient levels of magnesium. Why? Because magnesium metabolism often becomes less efficient as we grow older—changes in the GI tract and kidneys contribute to absorbing less and retaining less magnesium. The process of aging itself combined with stress and disease, increase your magnesium needs. But the reality is many people in the second phase of their lives are taking in less magnesium from food sources than they did when they were younger. So how do you know if you’re magnesium deficient? How m

Drug companies don't want us to know that there are more natural, safer and more effective ways than taking over-the-counter drugs to prevent and alleviate everyday ailments. Eating healthy food, drinking pure water, getting adequate rest, moving daily and making time for fun are often all we need to keep illness at bay. My mentor, Paul Chek, refers to these foundational pillars of good health as The Last Four Doctors You’ll Ever Need: “Dr. Diet,” “Dr. Quiet,” “Dr. Movement,” and “Dr. Happiness.” And when it comes to “Dr. Diet,” very few people know that the very herbs and spices they keep in their kitchen can be used for therapeutic purposes. And that’s what today’s podcast episode is all about. I invited herbal medicine expert, Kami McBride, to the show to talk about how to use natural herbs to keep our bodies healthy. Here’s some of the topics Kami and I discuss: * Why using herbal remedies is a healthier, more effective so

Have you heard the buzz phrase going around that “sitting is the new smoking?” Well, what exactly does that mean? I had some idea that sitting too much wasn’t good for you—like it impacted your posture and triggered back pain (I know this from personal experience). But I had no idea that it was also associated with many other serious health problems. In today’s podcast episode, physical therapist and sitting expert, Dr. Chad Walding, explains that when you sit for long periods of time you reduce the enzyme that clears fat from the blood stream, which impacts cholesterol levels, increases the risk for heart disease, reduces bone density, and disrupts hormone balance. Not only that, according to Dr. Chad, sitting in a slouched position has a negative impact on how you see yourself and others. Here’s some of the topics Dr. Chad and I discuss: * Why back pain is so prevalent, simple solutions to alleviate back pain and why back pain can get WORSE after having back surgery and t

Did you know that it’s actually NOT normal for a woman to experience hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood swings and vaginal dryness during menopause? We’ve been trained by our medical system to believe that these are all “natural symptoms” of being in menopause, but the truth is these are really signs that your hormones are out of balance. My definition, menopause simply means that you stop menstruating. It does NOT mean that you feel like crap as you enter what is supposed to be an amazing time in your life! But because of poor diet, high stress, lack of movement and other unhealthy lifestyle choices, MANY women have unknowingly completely disrupted their hormones, which is what triggers these unpleasant experiences in their bodies. The good news is there are lots of things that you can do to rebalance your hormones naturally. And that’s what today’s podcast episode is all about. I invited hormone expert, Reed Davis, to the show to talk about the main lifestyle fac

Have you ever wondered if the water you drink every day is safe? I mean, what’s the best source of water to drink? Is it bottled water or filtered tap water? If it’s bottled water, what are the best brands to buy? If it’s filtered tap water, what kind of water filter should we use? Do Brita and Pur really get the job done? These are the very questions I asked Clinical Nutritionist and Traditional Naturopath, David Getoff, when I invited him back to the Better Beyond 50 podcast. His answers to these questions really made me re-think how I’ve been filtering my water!! Here’s some of the topics David and I discuss is the eye-opening interview: * The 3 things to look for on a label when deciding which bottled water brands to buy. (And the two best bottled water brands.) * The safest container to store water in when you take it to go. * Why it’s a really good idea to get your tap water tested. (And the best place to go to do that). * The 3 harmful chemicals to look out for in yo

If you want to know exactly what steps you can take to rebuild strong bones without having to take drugs then you’re going to want to listen to this episode!  I invited Dr. Susan Brown—the TOP expert on bone health— to the Better Beyond 50 Podcast to dispel some of the myths about osteoporosis, reveal the dangers of bone drugs and share the truth about maintaining healthy bones naturally. Here’s some of the topics Dr. Brown and I discuss: * Why building and maintaining healthy bones are NOT just about calcium intake. (In fact, too much calcium can contribute to coronary calcification i.e. kidney stones.) * Why it’s important to consume forms of calcium that alkalize the body, and the BEST forms—the most available and easily absorbed forms—of calcium. (It’s NOT dairy!) * The 3 areas of your lifestyle you must re-evaluate after menopause in order to maintain healthy bones. (Hint: One of them has to do with stress—worrying a lot is damaging to your bones

So many women think that low sex drive just a natural part of being a woman over 50 and they just assume there’s nothing they can do about it. But the reality is, your sex drive has more to do with your diet and lifestyle choices than your age. Have you ever considered that the foods you eat and how you manage your stress could very well be making your sex hormones suffer? If low sex drive is something that you’re experiencing I have good news for you—because there IS something that you can do about it! Your body has an amazing ability to rebalance itself when you treat it “right.” And while there are a few factors that come into play, your DIET—that is, the quality and quantity of the proteins, fats and carbs your eat—is a KEY player in creating healthy sex hormones. Because I know this is such an important topic to so many women over 50, I invited licensed nutritionist and certified exercise and health coach, Rebecca Hazelton, to the Better Beyond 50 podcast to talk

With so much conflicting diet and nutrition information out there how do we know what we should be eating and what we should not be eating to feel our healthiest? Well, if you’re wondering the same thing, then you’re in the right place. Because that’s the very question I asked world-renowned Clinical Nutritionist and Traditional Naturopath, David Getoff. You may remember David from his previous podcast interview (The Cholesterol Myth That’s Harming Your Health) where he exposed the biggest myths about cholesterol and the dangers of cholesterol lowering drugs. If you thought that interview was eye-opening wait until you hear what he has to say about what we’re really supposed to be eating… it will surprise you! Here’s some of the topics David and I discussed: * Why corn, potatoes, winter squashes, beans and grains should be eaten in very limited quantities (or better yet, not at all) * Why following a strict vegetarian or vegan diet is NOT healthy (and the science tha

Dana Wilde teaches you how to achieve success—in any area of your life—by using intentional action. Intentional action simply means you get yourself to FEEL GOOD first, and then you take action towards whatever goal you want to achieve. She says, “when you experience a negative, counter productive emotion—like hopelessness, anger, fear, or frustration—everything you touch in that emotional state turns to CRAP! So when you’re feeling a negative emotion your only job is to feel good first, so you can take the right action.” Here are some of the topics Dana and I discuss is this podcast episode: * 4 simple steps to break the cycle of negative, self-limiting beliefs. * Why it’s SO important to understand how your thoughts create your emotions. * Why negative emotions are actually GOOD for you. * How to go from feeling discouraged or frustrated to feeling hopeful and happy within 120 seconds. Honestly, I was so PUMPED when I got off the call with Dana—I felt li